My heart in your hands by aussiegall

Are you going on holiday to find romance ? Many people do. Taking a holiday is a great way to relax and it’s a well known fact that when you are relaxed, it’s easy to make conversations and develop relationships with other people. Or perhaps you are going on a holiday to keep the romance burning in an existing relationship, another popular option.

Going back a couple of decades, there used to be a stigma attached to travelling on your own and hoping to meet people while you are away, now it’s actively encouraged! There are many tour operators who specialise in so called “singles holidays”. Some companies specialise in taking single, like-minded people away on holiday and hope that just by mixing those who enjoy a similar past time, a relationship will develop. The relationship may be nothing more than a friendship that stays strong for many years, held together by the common interest of a sport or hobby.

Love by catlovers

If on the other hand you are expecting a holiday romance, then this is obviously not what you are looking for. You are hoping that while you’re away you will meet someone who can become special to you and in time a romance will blossom and perhaps lead to a long-term relationship, perhaps even marriage. The busy lives we all lead often mean that it is hard to find the time to develop relationships, so being away on a holiday in the relaxed sunny environment (often in a romantic setting) can sometimes lead to the start of something bigger.

Some people are looking for long term meaningful relationships with the potential prospect of marriage, whereas others are just looking for short term holiday romances that last no longer than the holiday. If you do start to develop a relationship while you are away it’s important to understand if the other person you are building this relationship with has the same objectives as you do before becoming too involved.

It’s always worth remembering to be aware of your own safety, so take sensible precautions. For example, don’t always say which hotel you are staying in or give away your mobile number too quickly. It may be that you are looking to develop a relationship with a national of the country you are visiting. It is always worth remembering that long distance relationships can take a lot of commitment on both sides, but if you are looking for a completely new relationship, then building such with a national from another country may be very successful. It will get you to learn a lot more about another country and culture and your partner will learn about yours.

Meeting and starting your holiday romance might come at the most unexpected moment, perhaps the person you are sat beside on the plane, maybe someone working in a hotel or just another person on your tour. If the purpose of the holiday is a new romance, then have an open mind.

True romance by jeroen_bennink

You may find it easiest to meet people on some of the organised activities while you are away. This could be an excursion with a group of other people from a similar country to your own, or it could be as part of an organised sports activity like a game of beach volley ball. The important thing to remember here is to partake in these activities. If you don’t, you simply won’t meet anyone.

Some people say that some places are better to visit to meet the person of your dreams. You should not choose your destination based on these kind of facts or rumours, but just visit and explore and find out for yourself by experience the most appropriate place to go.

Don’t be put off by bad experiences that you may have yourself or hear from other people – just understand when something is not working and move on.

Cayman Snorkel by rezsox

It may be that you are going on holiday to be romantic with an existing partner and not to meet someone new. Perhaps the grind of day-to-day life is not allowing you much time in your existing relationship to be romantic. If this is the case, whisk your partner off to somewhere like Venice or Prague or may be even New York for a long weekend, even make this a surprise, book a room with a view don’t be afraid to spend a bit more of your hard earned money on the trip – why else do you earn it ? That said, there are lots of ways to achieve a cheap romantic weekend away – book something at the last minute, decide today and go tomorrow, whisk your partner off their feet, surprise them. Don’t tell them they are going to Rome – the eternal city, keep that element of surprise, romance is not just for Valentine’s Day!

It doesn’t matter if the reason is to meet someone new or to romance an existing partner. Travelling abroad can be the cure for your romantic ailments. So explore the world and find romantic happiness!

All images from flickr.com.

Image by mindfulness

When the summer season is at its height, it is often hard to imagine that the long hours of sunshine and clear blue skies will soon be taken over by wet, grey and dreary days. This is the time when the sentimental part of us makes us reach for our holiday snaps to revive those happy holiday memories. Or this could simply be the time when the practical side of us tells us that summer doesn’t necessarily need to be over yet – and that this is the best time to set out on a journey to chase the winter sun.

Many tour operators have lined up their flights for the winter holiday season, which doesn’t mean only the skiers will have the chance to enjoy the long awaited white snow-covered slopes. Hundreds of flights will head for places like the Canaries, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia or Gambia, which are classed as short or mid-haul destinations. This means that you can be on that sun baked beach within 6 hours!

Sharm el-Sheikh mosque by Argenberg

Egypt with its monumental history offers places like the calm remote Taba, with crimson mountains lining the blue coastline. The buzzing Sharm El Sheikh is a promise of hot sunny days on the beach and lively nights out, not mentioning the colourful reefs of its underwater world, ready to be explored by all keen divers.

The laid back coastal Agadir in Morocco is a perfect antidote to the frenetic capital Marrakech, with its cosmopolitan hotels and quaint city centre full of bazaars and salesmen trying to sell you anything from jewellery and textile to a camel!

If all this sounds too busy, then why not try and take a relaxing week on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia? Many hotels here specialise in Thalasso-therapy and invite all their guests to enjoy the pampering spa and hammam sessions at fraction of the UK prices. Wherever you chose to go in North Africa, the winter months will certainly not let you down when it comes to long hours of sunshine, great all inclusive hotels and amazingly cheap package holidays.

Sunset by Maurice Koop

Gambia is a relatively new holiday destination emerging on the list of exotic places to visit during the winter time. It’s hot and full of unspoilt beaches dotted with inexpensive hotels. The service here is marked by the hospitality of the smiling locals, and the wildlife in the lush green natural setting is to die for. The bonus is that you won’t be jet lagged after your 6-hour long flight and after your first encounter with this wonderful country, you are sure to be back the next season.

If, however, you are prepared to spend a bit extra cash and longer hours on the flight, countries in the ever popular Caribbean – Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, St Lucia or Antigua will satisfy even the most discerning traveller. The all inclusive resorts have been built with your utmost comfort in mind, directly on the beach and providing excellent food, entertainment and cultural experience, whether you are 6 or 66.

The Maldives by nattu

On the opposite side, where the tiffany blue Indian Ocean gently kisses the pearl white silky shores, the islands of Maldives are a true diver’s and honeymooner’s paradise. The impeccable service complements the elegant accommodation of beach villas and water bungalows from where you can take a plunge into the sea straight from your bedroom – the quintessential Maldivian experience.

Wherever your fancy takes you this winter season – the Canaries, North Africa, Caribbean, Goa or the Maldives and whether you choose to travel in October or January, they promise fun in the sun, sea and sand at fantastic bargain package holiday prices.

On a positive note, this is a good excuse for us to leave everything behind and set out on a journey in search of the ‘real’ kind of summer. Luckily this doesn’t necessarily need to be a long and expensive trip! This is actually the best time to book that cheap summer holiday. Although the tour operators have been telling us how they slashed their capacities due to the recession, there are still plenty of empty beds in the hotels and empty seats on the flights waiting to be filled.

Deciding to book a holiday on the spur of the moment can be such a good idea. If you are one of those experienced and internet savvy travellers, just turn on your computer and immerse yourself in all those jazzy looking travel websites competing for your attention. Lots of them offer full service ‘under one roof’ from the initial search of your destination to making your reservation including your payment processing, weather service and pre-ordering your foreign currencies. And the best thing is that this is all actually happening under the roof of your own house!

To get the best possible bargain out of booking your holiday online, here are just a few useful hints and tips:

• Be flexible, whether it’s the airport you fly from or the date, you will increase the chances of the system searching for more available options.
• Ideally, be also flexible on the destination. Of course, if you are a party animal, nobody would expect you to book your holiday in a tranquil village on the outback of Turkey or Greece. But the legendary party scene of Ibiza can also easily be found in booking your last minute holiday to Marmaris, Malia, Ayia Napa, Magalluf or Faliraki.
• Book a package holiday with standard duration of 7 or 14 nights, they always tend to be cheaper
• Try to avoid the Eurozone if possible, for example last minute holidays to Turkey or Tunisia are a good example how inexpensive a good quality all-inclusive holiday can be.
• Booking your holiday online can offer extra discounts.

As booking your cheap package holiday online is in principle a DIY thing, some of us may feel a bit lost or lonely in this process. In this case, many travel websites encourage their customers to contact their call centre staff by providing them with free phone numbers, so why not reach for your phone? The call centre teams are formed of fully trained travel advisors who are always at hand to help you with your holiday choices and any advice you may need. They can even make the reservation on your behalf. Speaking to a friendly, well mannered and erudite person can only enhance the whole experience. Of course, whilst this is all happening from the comfort of your own home, some of us may prefer the most traditional method of booking our holiday face to face with a high street travel agent. You are assured to have their undivided attention and many of them will gladly share their personal holiday experience with you and become your favourite ‘real person’ to book your holidays with on regular basis.

Last minute holidays to Spain, Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean destinations can be booked at amazing prices. Whether you are travelling with children, you are a couple or a single traveller, there are still some great bargains around to be pocketed this summer. How about last minute holiday deals to Crete, Corfu or Zante in Greece starting from only £230 per person? Fancy all inclusive? No problem, Turkey has still got deals to Marmaris from £329 per person in four star hotels! And the list could just go on and on…

Why not cheat the British weather for a change this summer and exchange it for a sun-toasted sandy beach lined with palm trees and warm blue sea? There is still time and hundreds of last minute holiday deals available begging to be booked. They are hot, hot, hot… And just a few clicks away… so stop enviously watching all those tempting TV adverts, it could be actually you on that sunbed with a book and exotic cocktail!

Let’s take a closer look at the two most popular holiday types – tours and package holidays.

Package holidays are designed by the tour operators with absolute comfort of travellers in mind. They combine your chosen hotel with either chartered or scheduled flight and transfer to and from the resort. Package holidays are a very convenient way of travelling to summer or winter sun, especially if you are travelling with children. Your accommodation will typically include self catering apartment or a hotel room with breakfast, half board or the very popular all inclusive board basis.

A package holiday can traditionally be booked for a seven, ten or fourteen night duration, although it is not unusual to find shorter or longer durations. You will mostly spend the whole time in and around your chosen accommodation for the duration of your stay. Sometimes you can also book excursions or day trips if you want to explore the resort in more detail or simply break away from the beach or the swimming pool. In your holiday resort, there will be a holiday representative who will make regular visits to your accommodation and assist you with any queries at designated times. Package holidays are all about convenience and relaxation and they can be of extremely good value if you are flexible enough and book them at the last minute.

A guided tour is suitable if you are travelling as a couple or as an individual traveller. The tour is usually organised in a closed group of travellers with whom you will be spending most of your time in and outside the hotels and at meal times. A guided tour can be more expensive than a package holiday but you have the convenience of your local tour guide being constantly there for you if you need any advice. You will also get a chance to visit a number of places within your planned duration and itinerary and therefore a guided tour will provide you with more cultural experience. Your time will be organised with precision according to your itinerary and with very little flexibility to change. There will probably be no or very little time to spend on the beach and your schedule will be very busy visiting sites, museums, travelling on the coach and changing hotels. Being with other members of the group can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on your communication, age group and interests. Guided tour can sometimes be booked at the last minute, however they tend to be purchased in advance due to their nature, planned number of spaces and itinerary dates.

To sum up, your choice of holiday type will very much depend on your budget, dates, seasons of travel and the destination. It will also depend on how active you want to be during that time and how much planning you want involved on your holidays. Package holidays in typical summer destinations will provide you with the well-deserved rest whilst enjoying the comforts of your hotel facilities. A guided tour, on the other hand, can be a valuable cultural and social experience.

I have stayed in several hotels in Las Vegas from three to five star and could not fault any of them. Standards were very good, the rooms were spacious and clean and the food in the restaurants plentiful and tasty. Indeed, food is always excellent value in Vegas. A five star buffet lunch will not cost you more than US$25 per person, not to mention your free drinks and cocktails in gaming areas whilst you play.

When picking a hotel in Las Vegas, the location is always my priority as all the main action is concentrated around the famous Las Vegas Boulevard – ‘The Strip’. During the day it’s packed with cars and tourists walking around the themed casino hotels and souvenir shops (I usually spend it on my sunbed anyway). In the evenings it turns into a parade of colourful lights and showcase of the best make-up and evening wear. The casinos get filled with eager hopefuls trying to walk out with massive jackpot winnings, and the theatres present fantastic shows (‘KA’ by Cirque du Soleil being my firm favourite). The spectacular fountain show at Bellagio is best to watch at night and so is the whole of Las Vegas panorama, preferably from a helicopter.

Shopping is another famous pastime in Vegas. The vast hotel shopping arcades are stocked up with the latest haute couture. Alternatively, the central mall (near The Wynn Hotel) is gigantic too and you can easily lose yourself in its numerous shops for a day or two. If you have a car it is always worth while driving outside the centre and visit one of the outlet stores and get some bargain designer wear.

If you ever get tired of the frenetic activity of The Strip, why not venture beyond Las Vegas and drive to places like the legendary Hoover Dam or Red Rock Canyon, offering the most spectacular rock formations as well as great hiking routes. These can easily be done as a day trip.

To sum up, Las Vegas is definitely a good all-season city break or twin-centre destination. It is great if you want to treat your loved one to a surprise birthday bash, or even get married in one of the Vegas-style wedding chapels! There is a great choice of entertainment and some fantastic hotels to suit every type of visitor, either a budget-conscious traveller or someone seeking the ultimate luxury.

Where else can you buy a Ferrari from the car show room located in your hotel lobby!

I went at the beginning of June, and the long-lasting impressions were so strong that I literally did’t want to return home! So I booked  another trip for the end of September – to the same hotel (Club Alibey) in Side and finishing the trip with amazing  three night city break in the wonderful city of Antalya.

June and September are ideal months as the heat on the Mediterranean coast  is not so oppressive and the beaches and hotels are not too overcrowded. All-inclusive is a good option, and excellent value if you are in a large resort and don’t necessarily plan to go exploring further afield.

I can still almost taste the Mediterranean spices in the wonderful Turkish food – the freshly grilled fish and veal steaks, carefully prepared lamb kebabs, roasted stuffed peppers and dolme, the locally prepared Turkish pancakes called gozleme, and my all-time favourite Turkish baklava – the thin filo pastry soaked in butter, lemon and sugar and richly filled with walnuts or pistachios. Yum!

Club Alibey was not really what we would call a typical ‘hotel’. It is a resort built in a traditional Turkish village style, with two storey Ottoman architecture buildings scattered around, each boasting beautiful patios lined with bougainvillea and ceramic fountains with gently splashing water outside each entrance. In fact, the skilful use of colourful ceramic tiles brought from the famous porcelain factory in Kutahya is what gives this little village so much charm and authenticity.

We usually started our days at Club Alibey at the large central pool or its famous Aquapark, filled with music and fun on its amazing rides. In the afternoon we continued soaking up the sun on the sandy Mediterranean beach watching the sun go down, or taking one of the exhilarating banana boat rides. And of course, then there was food, drink … drink and more delicious food in between! This all was topped up by the evening shows suited to every taste – either presenting the traditional folk dances of Antalya or the musical Chicago and many more.

Continuing our journey to Antalya city was a great idea as, after all the eating and fun, it was time to do some serious sightseeing. I went to explore the colourful bazaars, shopping for clothes and spices, bargaining with the clever Turkish salesmen playing backgammon outside their shop. I also spent time in the old town of Kaleici, with its original Ottoman buildings lining tiny cobbled streets. The enigmatic morning call for prayer from the mosques still gives me goose bumps, and so do the images of their rich history and architecture. I will definitely be back again.

My recommendations

When in Turkey, don’t miss out on Antalya. It is well worth sampling its ancient history, its buzzing streets and beautiful harbour that live 24/7. It is a great example of a city that embraced the unique blend of eastern and western cultures, peacefully co-existing side-by-side, yet not lacking in original charm and character. About two million tourists visit every year, enjoying the hospitality of probably the friendliest nation in the world!

More of my Turkey holiday photos.

The 11 hours in the air with Sri Lankan Airways was a treat – hospitable flight attendants in beautiful national costumes, a choice of delicious flight meals and plenty of drinks and entertainment.

On approach to Male Airport I was able to watch the landing on my personal screen from captain’s perspective and a view of whole myriad of little islands dotted in turquoise waters uncovered itself almost immediately. The view was to die for – it was like heaven came down to earth! And this was just getting better upon reaching my first destination – the island of Bandos after 30 minutes of exhilarating speedboat ride. A touch of Maldivian hospitality was felt from the moment I stepped barefoot onto the island’s silk-like sand – a warm welcome from the staff included a cold towel and a refreshing cocktail.

The scenery on each island is simply breathtaking – lush exotic greenery and elegant tall palms gently swaying over the pearl – white beaches to the warm breeze of Indian Ocean. Crystal clear waters of the lagoon gently slapping onto the shore, amazing sunsets and stunning sunrises. This picture pretty much repeated itself on Kurumba and Bodu Hithi, the other islands I visited. The great thing about the Maldives is that each island is a resort on its own and each of them offers something different – you can party till dawn on Kurumba and find escapology with a big ‘E’ at the elegant Coco Palm Bodu Hithi.

The food was 1st class and I would only opt for an all-inclusive as the drinks can sometimes be prohibitively expensive. A bottle of water on Bodu Hithi will cost you 9 USD (mind you, this is a very posh-looking glass bottle I am talking about!), just like everything else on this island – from the décor of the rooms to the pampering sessions in the spa – you will feel the sense of exclusivity everywhere.

The onwards journey to Sri Lanka uncovered a completely different world – busy streets, world-famous tuk-tuks, women in saris carrying colourful umbrellas to protect their faces from the excessive sunrays and the shop owners trying to sell you just about anything. Then the legendary and mystical Sigiriya Rock – the unforgettable symbol of Sri Lanka which I could only climb to its first half as the humidity was so oppressive.

Then the wonderful Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela where the scenery vividly reminds you of the pictures you have once seen on Discovery Channel or in the National Geographics Magazine. Kandy is a must as the serene Temple of the Tooth brings you back to the history of Sri Lanka. On the way there stop in one of the spice gardens and get a free Ayurvedic massage, Ayurveda being such inseparable way of the Sri Lankan lifestyle. I was lucky to meet some nice people too and returning back to the cosmopolitan Colombo I suddenly missed the green hills and diversity of the Sri Lankan countryside…. Generally, the quality of hotels in Sri Lanka is superb as long as you chose 4* and above.

My recommendations:

Anyone wishing to go to that part of the world, be bold and visit both Maldives and Sri Lanka .They are so different and yet so close to each other and with the short direct flight from Male to Colombo, this would be an opportunity too good to miss. Although next time I would perhaps do it in reverse order – do the busy tour of Sri Lanka first and then rest my bones in the calm oasis of the Maldives afterwards…. I recommend the Robinson Crusoe-style holidays in the Maldives to anyone who wants to get away from the city-induced stress, and especially to keen divers and honeymoon couples. Although, next time I return there, I will definitely book a romantic over-water villa (preferably with a jacuzzi and open-air bathroom) and a seaplane transfer which complete the ultimate Maldivian experience.

Oh and plenty of good quality mosquito repellent is a must! It just makes your life so much easier when you are out and about.